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	Jaco wins silver at World Championships Well-known South African traditional archer Jaco Wessels recently won a silver medal at the World Field Archery Championships held in Namibia. He had this to say about his experience… Read More
14 May, 2008
	Sterkrivier traditional competition 2008 No fewer than 91 archers competed during this year’s Sterkrivier Shoot, the biggest since the competition was first held eleven years ago… Read More
14 May, 2008
	Bow Profile: Kingfisher Recurve Bow Manufacturer: Hummingbird Custom Bows 9631 Vineyard Road Mt. Pleasant, NC 28124 www.Hummingbirdbows.com Price: $1,000.00 … Read More
14 May, 2008
	The mystery of the vest It is absolutely necessary for a muzzleloader hunter always to carry specific loading elements to keep his gun in action. On the shooting range this is no problem and shooters will be seen returning to their vehicles again and again or scratching around in boxes or bags. But out in the bush everything needed is … Read More
14 May, 2008
	Kudu memories No one can dispute the beauty of the kudu. With its double helix horns, face paint, long graceful legs, and the ridge of hair down the centre of its back, the kudu is what most first time African bowhunters seek to take home..... Read More
31/03/08
	Extreme bowhunting It is a grand thing to be a hunter in Africa. You go out there and become part of nature. The trappings of civilisation are left behind. Whatever role you may have played under ceilings, surrounded by walls and interacting with people..... Read More
31/03/08
	The Appeal of the Traditional Bow “Why?” This is the question I am often asked when archers see me with my traditional longbow. That’s before they ask, “How do you aim?” and my personal favourite: “Where does the stabiliser fit?”..... Read More
31/03/08
	Should we poison our arrows? Poison. From a Western perspective, the term does not exactly conjure up images of happy families opening up presents under the Christmas tree. No, this little word brings with it thoughts of underhanded dealings, stealthy murders, assassinations, pain and extended suffering. Hooded figures concealing little glass..... Read More
31/03/08
	Legends, arrows and elephants As African adventurers go, it is quite likely that nobody has ever really entered into the spirit of hunting with quite the level of enthusiasm, confidence, optimism and raw courage demonstrated by the white hunters of old. One has only to think of names such as Bror Blixen, George Rushby, Basil Reel, Clary Palmer-Wilson, Bunny Allen and Hemmingway, all heroes to a man..... Read More
25/01/08
	Bowyer for Hollywood Johnny Snyman, a bowyer and traditional archery icon in South Africa, has caught the attention of international film producers. Soon his bows will be seen on the big screen. I spoke to Johnny for the first time about nine years ago, just before the publication of the first Africa’s Bowhunter & Archer in 2000 .... Read More
25/01/08
	Funshooting with a traditional bow We are approaching the festive season, schools will be closing soon and many people will be going on vacation. This means there will be lots of free time available, time that can be well-spent enjoying archery .... Read More
25/01/08
	Using a powerful bow Almost every archer has at one time or another considered using a really powerful bow. Apart from the purely macho appeal of raw power, there is also the fact that a more powerful bow enables a heavier arrow to be shot faster at a flatter trajectory. This in turn translates to .... Read More
25/01/08
	BOW PROFILE: ACS-CX T/S LONGBOW Multiple layers of black and white glass and three layers of highly figured bocote for the overlay, centre and grip area are laid up and bonded in an aluminium mould before the riser is shaped on a CNC milling machine. The arrangement of the contrasting layers of wood and fibreglass not only makes for a pleasing optical appearance .... Read More
07/11/02
	Skin a buck with a golfball People always laugh at me when I tell them I could skin a buck with a golf ball or round stone of the same size. I don’t mind the gutting part of hunting, but really dislike skinning. However, this way .... Read More
07/11/02
	The riddle of the stones Most people are familiar with what we know today as “bushman stones”. These flat round stones have a hole drilled through the centre and it is commonly thought that ancient bushmen made them to add weight to their digging sticks. .... Read More
07/11/02
	Building a bow for your child made easy Chris was a carpentry teacher some time ago, and when I spoke to him about ABH&A, he told me that he was building two bows for his nephews, Pierre (12) and Robert (10). What struck me was that he said both would only cost R40 .... Read More
07/11/02
	Hunting with a longbow You took up bow hunting because you wanted a challenge, having hunted extensively with a scope-equipped rifle. You acquired a compound bow and had success, most probably from a hide. ... Read More
July 31, 2007
	“Let’s burn some powder, boys” Take any man or woman who is wild at heart. Mix ‘em with armloads of a genre commonly known as Western novels. Sprinkle gently with a tin sheriff badge, a pair of worn-out cowboy boots with spurs, and a belt buckle sporting a longhorn... Read More
July 31, 2007
	Shooting straight There are many ways to shoot a bow, although I sometimes use some unconventional methods in my archery shows. Why? I like to show audiences examples of instinctive shooting and prove that with instinctive shooting I am looking only at the target.... Read More
May 30, 2007
	Shooting at Sterkrivier My old trusted pickup truck hummed softly on the road while I sat in silent amazement looking at “Hangklip”, a beautiful mountain escarpment overlooking the entire Sterkrivier.... Read More
May 30, 2007
	The basics of black powder In the previous article we examined the parallels between archery and black powder shooting and hopefully some archers have seen that there is space in their arsenal for a muzzleloader of... Read More
March 30, 2007
	Snuffers from Rothhaar Rian Horn recently interviewed Ryan Rothhaar from Rothhaar Snuffers and ask him a few questions about this well-known treeblade broadhead... Read More
March 29, 2007
	Sterkrivier - tent annual traditional comprtition Once again it is time for the major traditional archery event of the year – the annual Sterkrivier traditional shoot. This year marks its tenth anniversary... Read More
March 29, 2007
	My first traditional kill Hunting with traditional equipment for the first time is a serious matter and takes months of preparation. Believe it or not, but back in 1998 I had to make sure the necessary documentation was in place, and even had to apply for a permit that would allow me to hunt with a traditional bow. I still have that... Read More
Feb 1, 2007
	The dawn came, and so did the jackal The song of birds awakened me the next morning and after a quick cup of coffee, I was on my way to the hide with Eddie, then my PH and now also my friend. I felt time making room for a new type of order that is so much deeper and timeless; I could feel freedom’s call luring me to being wild again... Read More
Dec 18, 2006
	Blue wildebeest down I was pretty excited as I rushed home from work early Friday afternoon to pack the last of my hunting gear. We all met at the home of my friend Rean Steenkamp before departing to Johan Pont’s farm for my last hunt... Read More
August 24, 2006
	The traditional bow – stronger than you may believe We will probably never end the debate around the traditional bow versus the compound bow. The same goes for bowhunting and rifle hunting. Whatever our arguments are, I believe we often compare apples with pears... Read More
August 24, 2006
	Another bowhunt in perspective What makes the difference between an extremely successful traditional bowhunt and an experience that you would rather not talk about? You know you are going to get those questions ... Read More
August 2, 2006
	Shooting wildebeest at Sterkrivier It was late dusk when the blue wildebeest finally came in. I knew I would have to make good the shot, since it would soon be dark. The animal was standing only ten yards ... Read More
June 27, 2006
	A good hunt for the traditional guys Five kills at Moselesele. Not bad for the traditional gang. We achieved this success with traditional gear at our favourite hunting venue. Just between you and me, you will have to look hard .... Read More
June 27, 2006
	Who says a longbow isn’t good enough? It’s true, a longbow isn’t as accurate as a compound bow over longer distances. Does that mean it isn’t a good hunting weapon? .... Read More
May 22, 2006
	Moonshining your bow and arrows There are quite a few ways in which you can seal a wooden bow and arrows. Varnish, wax, fat and various blends of linseed, tung, cedar and other oils, and French polish, which incidentally, is a mixture of shellac and linseed oil. However, I noticed a pretty interesting .... Read More
May 22, 2006
	Wisdom and The Wooden Bow The wind whispered gently through the forest. Upon her silky voice she cradled the subtle promise of another summer to come, her unseen hands silently drawing the curtains of a window on the beautiful distant horizon. Aloft, the canopies swayed gently to a rhythm understood only .... Read More
April 21, 2006
	Meet Juliette Reid of Minerva Arrows There seems to be renewed interest worldwide in the enriched values held by traditions. Similarly, there is an increasing interest in traditional archery in South Africa .... Read More
March 30, 2006
	Teen bowhunter bags his first kill I have been shooting with a traditional bow for two years, and have always toyed with the idea of shooting a buck. My dream was rekindled when my older cousins (Niekie, Barry and Jan-Louis) invited me on my first hunt during the July holidays.I couldn’t believe my ears; I was going on my first hunt. Before .... Read More
March 6, 2006
	Redemption The South African springbok was one of the first animals I had the good fortune of harvesting upon beginning to hunt the Dark Continent. It was during the late morning on day three of my first African hunt. I sat in a pit blind at Howard Knott's Tshipise Game Reserve along with my PH, Robbie Guthrie. I was a bit discouraged, having just .... Read More
February 2, 2006
	Reflections on the longbow When analyzing the history of archery it is interesting to note that bows and arrows are found in practically every part of the world. A notable exception is Australia where everything developed very differently when compared to neighbouring continents which in many respects still seems to be thes.... Read More
February 2, 2006
	Getting started with a traditional bow – and having a lot of fun Let me state at the outset, shooting a traditional bow is a lot of fun. Once you have a bow and arrows, what is the best way to go about shooting this simple equipment? Nock an arrow, pull back the string and let go, while hoping that it does not miss the butt and disappear into long grass.... Read More
January 26, 2006
	Jaco Wessels – a traditional archery icon Few bowhunters are as dedicated and adept at longbow archery and hunting as Jaco Wessels, an icon in South African traditional archery. Jaco was only 15 years old when he decided to start shooting the bow and arrow seriously. Since then he has become a well-known traditional archer and bowyer .... Read More
January 3, 2006
	Combretum bows – built for Africa I met Johan van der Merwe about two years ago when he made a delivery to ABH&A’s offices for his wife, José. Johan expressed an interest in bowhunting and said he wanted to build .... Read More
January 3, 2006
	From rifle stock to atlatl After reading the article about the Atlatl in ABH&A and discussing this ancient weapon over a beer one evening, we wondered about its effectiveness as a weapon and hunting tool. Tolla Serfontein was the mastermind in the research and creation of his own Atlatl.... Read More
October 28, 2005
	Hunting a springhare I could not feel my legs. I was backed up against a giant ant heap occupied by trophy-size arachnophobia. I was not sure if it was a bird or a bushbuck I was stalking, although it was making too much noise to be a bushbuck. Actually, it was making too much noise to be a bird... Read More
Sept 22, 2005
	Hunting with bamboo-backed bow Not all bows are equal, that’s for sure. This is especially true for all-wooden bows. I was about to learn this through experience... Read More
Sept 19, 2005
	Long shot with a longbow The blesbok was standing in the shade of a thorn tree, in a gully. I had reached the end of the cover and could not move any closer. Slowly I stood up and stepped out from behind a Lavender Feverberrie tree, chose a spot on the animal, drew the longbow ... Read More
Sept 19, 2005
	Wingshooting with a bow – is it possible? The pointers were quivering with excitement. The sun was just above the horizon. The pheasant was right in front of one of the dogs and was sitting tight because of the Peregrine falcon we flew earlier. I nocked an arrow and moved closer ... Read More
August 25, 2005
	Henk du Plessis – bowyer and yeoman The name Henk du Plessis is synonymous with traditional archery in South Africa. Not only is Henk an excellent, if not the best longbow archer in the country, he also makes exceptionally fine and fast-shooting all-wooden bows. Henk is an excellent ... Read More
August 25, 2005
	Searching for the wild: A bowhunter in Africa Growing up in a remote part of rural Wisconsin, Mark fed his love for the outdoors and adventure on the likes of Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa, and Ruark's Horn of the Hunter. He was inspired by their stories of adventure on the plains of Africa, chasing after the great spiral horned antelope called the kudu. He vowed to one day... Read More
July 20, 2005
	In pursuit of the monarch The greater kudu is arguably one of the most regal and majestic of African animals. Wily and ever alert, it presents one of bowhunting's great challenges. Elegant and imposing, a kudu bull with long spiralling horns is one of the most sought-after trophies for any hunter ... Read More
July 20, 2005
	Death by atlatl – a mammoth task made easier Used as an adjective, “mammoth” refers to something of enormous size or scale, like a task. As a noun, “mammoth” is an elephant-like creature that roamed the regions of northern Eurasia and North America more than 40 000 years ago. Hunting animals ... Read More
July 20, 2005
	Balad of the flu-flu arrow Most of us have, at some stage or another, crossed paths with the flu-flu arrow. According to most writings, the flu-flu is made with an arrow fletched with three to four high-profile, five-inch long feathers. The written word also tells us that when an arrow is fletched in this manner, ... Read More
July 20, 2005
	Bows, arrows and archers of ancient north-Africa Africa, more specifically Egypt and Sudan (ancient Nubia), forms part of the Ancient Near East (ANE), which includes the geographical area covered by other modern states such as Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Turke ... Read More
June 29, 2005
	Lighyhouse Marcello I think one of the sweetest adventures of life starts with the journey of traditional archery – shooting the longbow or recurve, or making your own gear, be it a bow, leather quiver or your own wooden arrows, and of course, making them fly! No matter how you look at it (or dream about it) – every facet of traditional ... Read More
June 29, 2005
	The Mongolian draw and the use of a thumbring The most difficult single action in archery is undoubtedly the act of drawing and releasing the string. The purpose of this action is to ensure consistency, accuracy and to inject the most energy into the arrow... Read More
May 24, 2005
	Sterkrivier traditional shoot - winners' advice Concentration is probably the most important component of traditional shooting, says Mush Nichols, recent winner of the traditional annual shoot held on Henk du Plessis’ farm at Sterkrivier... Read More
May 24, 2005
	Stickbows are catching on Is traditional archery growing in popularity in South Africa, and following the trend in the USA and Europe?... Read More
February 8, 2005
	*Part1:* Set aside your preference of bow and archery gear ... *Part2:* Losing a wooden arrow you have laboured over is almost ... *Part3:* The essence of archery is the wooden arrow in flight... *Part4:* Just as one sunset over the ocean contrasts with those ...
February 7, 2005
	Hunting fowl with a traditional bow As the guinea fowl takes off with a flutter of wings, the archer takes aim and releases the arrow. When the arrow and the bird collides in mid-air, the bird folds up its wings and tumbles to the ground ... Read More
Dec 23, 2004
	A double handed bow of intrest At the traditional shoot that was recently held close to Pretoria I noticed a very interesting take-down recurve design. Without any adjustments the bow could be shot from the left or the right hand. ... Read More
Dec 23, 2004
	Stretching your bow’s life Many things can go wrong with a self-made wooden bow, especially if you are not one of the best bowyers in the country. You get good bowyers and bowyers of lesser excellence. I am none of two. I am at the” attempting to be a bowyer” fase ... Read More
Dec 23, 2004
	Bow Bender’s Shoot Traditional archery shoots are like the cool shade of very old trees. People from all walks of life come to seek refuge among and pay homage to the same shadows. They meet there to share a common ground: the lure of the traditional bow. ... Read More
Dec 13, 2004
	Making reinforced self nocks My young son stepped into the workshop with a smile on his freckled face as big as the dawn. In his trembling hands he held his first homemade arrow. A simple dowel served as an arrow shaft, the whittled point hardened over the gas stove, two guineafowl feathers had been bound ... Read More
October 8, 2004
	Making a Flemish Splice Bowstring In time the 25-year-old spare bowstring was dangerously worn. Now, living in a one horse desert town on the barren West coast of South Africa, the nearest city was almost 800 kilometres away, and finding a suitable bowstring for my now "second wife" posed a problem indeed...Read More
Sept 30, 2004
	Setup and tuning of recurves and longbows The visual differences between a com-pound, recurve and longbow are obvious. As one delves deeper into the mysterious world of archery physics, the differences become even more pronounced. Com-pound bows operate to a very different set of parameters... Read More
August 27, 2004
	How to build a laminating oven Before you make your own laminated bow, you need to build a laminating oven or heat box. This is not as daunting a task as it may sound, as most of the material you need is readily available ... Read More
August 12, 2004
	Building my first bow The first step was to find information, but with South Africa not being founded on the bow and arrow, but rather on black powder, ball and musket, an extensive bowyer’s history is virtually non-existent ... Read More
August 10, 2004
	Birth of a passion for Africa I sat still, quietly contemplating the events that I had experienced in less than one hour of hunting in South Africa. It was the first morning of my first African safari and I was spellbound by the incredible number of animals and species that we had already seen ...Read More
July 30, 2004
	How to make a footed arrow Apart from the character laden, vibrant life that wooden bows reflect, their undisputed track record is enriched with thousands of years of sending whispering "messengers of death" across countless battlefields all over the world. They have and forever will pass on the blend of traditional values and romance ...Read More
July 29, 2004
	"Bowhunting the Southern Roan" My previous hunt with Howard had been at his Tshipise property, which has somewhat of a different terrain. The camp at Alldays is nestled on top of a koppie and provides a panoramic view of the open plains in all directions ...Read More
July 29, 2004
	Longbow outpenetrates 2 compound bows It was April 2002 and I was competing in an archery competition. About halfway through one of the archers received a phone call from a local game rancher, who invited him to shoot a black wildebeest on his ranch ...Read More
July 28, 2004
	Norsemen Archery – a South African icon These difficulties introduced him to the good and bad characteristics of bows and readied him to start building his own bows from scratch. From here things could only improve ...Read More
April 13, 2004
	The traditional bow – a piece of youth’s freedom My first encounter with bow and arrow occurred when I was six years old. We lived on a farm in Zimbabwe, nowadays referred to as "Grim". For tradition's sake, however, let’s call the country by the name that flows like sweet ...Read More
March 29, 2004
	‘The all-wood bow still has a future’ My love for the bow-and-arrow began as a youngster when I found myself caught up in a world of adventure. Growing up in a little town with a river running through the property was awesome ...Read More
March 29, 2004
	Just another bow As I look at that particular bow hanging in my study I am overcome with an irresistible urge to reach out towards it. To feel the warm wood in my hands ...Read More

	Odour Odour is probably the biggest problem a hunter has when stalking an animal. The best solution is to make sure that one is always downwind from the prey. This is by far your best bet. It may, however, happen that the wind direction changes while one is waiting in ambush for an animal, ...Read More

	A hare's tale Cool was the breeze that lazily felt its way along the rocky coastline, gently being urged on by the icy currents of the Atlantic ocean. The late January midday sun of 1995 looked down upon the barren desert of the South African west coast and painted the landscape once again with passionate fury...Read More

	Hemp backing Sinew is probably the best backing you can put on your bow. However, it isn’t always easy to get hold of. Hemp, on the other hand, is readily available from most hardware shops. And hemp makes a pretty good backing...Read More

	Building a bow Most traditional bow archers have probably considered crafting their own glass-laminated bow at one time or another. While it is undoubtedly a time-consuming task it is certainly not impossible ...Read More

	Bowhunting and ethics “Give us a broad smile,” says the man behind the camera and the hunter complies while holding on tightly to the huge horns of the red hartebeest he has just taken down with his bow. “What a trophy!” he thinks, “It’s sure gonna impress ...Read More
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